News Release

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Motorist Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver NR13029am

Los Angeles: Detectives are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a motorist who was attempting to turn into a driveway.

On February 1, 2013, around 10:40 p.m., a motorist driving a silver 2000 Mercedes-Benz C500 was travelling south on West Boulevard when it overtook an uninvolved vehicle at a high rate of speed and collided with a blue 1981 Dodge pick-up being driven by 72-year-old Douglas Jerald Welch, a resident of Los Angeles, driving northbound on West Boulevard, attempting to turn left into a private driveway.

After the collision, the driver of the Mercedes-Benz fled the scene without stopping to render aid or wait for a report to be completed. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz has been identified, but his name is being withheld at this time due to an ongoing criminal investigation.

The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the collision scene and transported Welch to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Anyone with information regarding this traffic collision can contact West Traffic Division, Detective Section at 213-473-0234 during the weekdays between 7 am – 5pm. After hours and weekends, please contact West Traffic Division’s front desk at 213-473-0222 or a toll free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.